Bright yellow and pink in the city garden.

Blazing sun and dazzling colors.

After days of baking heat, at last welcome rain

and these darker beauties.

Clematis coddled and anticipated

opens like a Japanese sunshade to reveal

a purple that puts the pallid roses to shame.

On cue, a mysterious visitor, his brown and iridescent wings

boldly carry him to a stick that holds some mysterious attraction.

Surrounded by scents and blooms visited by drunken bees

he, severe and austere, remains faithful to his choice.